Troy MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Ripped from the pages of Homers Iliad, Troy tells the timeless story of a battle fought for the love of a woman and the honor of a nation. On the eve of peace between Sparta and Troy, young Prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) of Troy runs away with Helen (Diane Kruger), wife of the Spartan king, Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson). Enraged by the offense, Greek forces, along with their fiercely independent hero Achilles (Brad Pitt), cross the Aegean with a great armada, bent on avenging the honor of Sparta and all of Greece. But when they arrive at Troy, they find that king Priam (Peter OToole) is ready to defend his sons reckless love with the help of the nations own hero, Prince Hector (Eric Bana). Hector and Achilles along with Troy and Greece must now finish the battle for love, honor and their immortality in the pages of history.

Troy is the retelling of an old story, which involved violence, polytheism and sexuality even in its original telling. Yet there are some interesting ideas in the film. For instance, the heroes both go to battle courageously, but for very different reasons. Achilles, a proud and restless man with few allegiances, finds only futility in life and hopes to rise above it by fighting and dying gloriously. Hector, on the other hand, has a strong allegiance to his country and his people but believes that there is nothing glorious about dying. This latter view seems more biblical because it demonstrates a love for principles and people that are worth fighting for, not simply a love for fighting. While the Iliad may be classic literature, the film version will still offend many people with its graphic warfare, depictions of pagan worship and scenes of nudity and sexuality. In the final analysis, Preview recommends that you avoid Troy.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: Warner Brothers